Geek is my middle name. If something has buttons, red lights, shiny stuff and makes noise I'm pulled in like a moth to a flame. I realize that not everyone shares my geekiness but I don't blame them for this shortcoming; they are just that way.

When a friend introduced me to 3D cephalometrics about four years ago I was entranced. Not only could he see the landmarks that he had been trying to trace on a 2D radiograph but he could also see the teeth and the roots prior to planning his tooth movement.

This is a whole new dimension in treatment planning the orthodontic case.

This leads to my question and I will not presuppose an answer since I realize that my excitement about all things digital often overshadows my common sense. (Why else would I have purchased over 25 computers since 1984??? What did George Orwell know anyway?)

What are your thoughts about 3D cone beam CT? How do you see it being used in the next 10 years? How practical is it? What are the drawbacks that you see?


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Commenter's Profile Image Paul Ganucheau
July 23rd, 2012
I see it being used more in the future than it is now. Presently, it is used to treatment plan implant placement as well as a diagnostic tool. As the technology becomes more mainstream, I believe multiple other uses will arise after our brains are able to chew on the possibilities and adapt the current technology to future uses. The main advantage I see to it right now aside from implant placement is ability to diagnose missed endodontic problems that are not visible with current peri-apical films(fractured roots, missed anatomy, chronic asymptomatic endodontic lesions). The only disadvantage to it is radiation exposure. Its digital, however it seems that making an image of the entire maxilla or mandible still involves a lengthy exposure time.